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Toronto Raptors: Stock Take, plus Terence Davis turns it around

By Thomas Valentine

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 8: Terence Davis #0 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 8, 2020 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 8: Terence Davis #0 of the Toronto Raptors dunks the ball during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 8, 2020 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Toronto Raptors
Toronto Raptors – Matt Thomas (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images) /

Matt Thomas

On the bright side, the Toronto Raptors finally welcomed Matt Thomas back into the fold on Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers. Thomas had missed the last 21 games due to a broken finger but his return was a welcome addition, especially since VanVleet was ruled out before the game.

While Thomas is, by no means, a direct replacement for VanVleet, he does offer something the Toronto Raptors are in desperate need of and that’s perimeter shooting. That’s what Thomas is all about, and he showed that in spells over the last two games.

Against the Blazers and Hornets, Thomas averaged 8.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.0 assist, shooting 33-percent from the field and 33-percent from three. As expected, the shooting stroke is probably going to take a little longer to come back, and in all honesty, it wasn’t a terrific week for Thomas, but he showed flashes of more than just shooting.

Those moments were brief but worth noting. Thomas was a factor on the glass against the Trail Blazers, and his six rebounds helped the Raptors in an area where they struggle. There were moments of intrigue when Thomas had the ball in his hands too, and he notched two assists against the Hornets, including one beautiful bounce pass to a cutting Patrick McCaw.

Look, Thomas still has a way to go before he’s back to full health. Even then, he might not feature frequently in the Raptors rotation, but while the injuries are piling up, his presence could be exactly what Nick Nurse needs.

VERDICT: STOCK UP

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